The Episcopal Counseling Center

How to be Successful in School! 

Becky Brinkman,
37 year retired teacher
Orange County, FL Schools 

Encourage school success with the following tips:

AT HOME:

• Turn off the TV and computer in the student’s room or study area for a specific period of time each day.

• Have a quiet and special place to study which includes good lighting

• Be sure to have all supplies – pencils, paper, etc. – easily available.

• Make sure the student gets a good night’s sleep each night

• Have a good breakfast.  Student’s need energy to begin the day and it has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

• Parents, get the e-mail address of all your student’s teachers to communicate often and directly with them.

• Students, do all your homework, no matter how easy or hard it is  -- TURN YOUR HOMEWORK IN!

• Parents, ask for a teacher conference early in the school year.  Learn what the teachers expect of their students.

• Parents, mark on the calendar when the report cards are to be given out.  Do the same for progress reports.

• Students and Parents, about once a month, clean out the backpack!

AT SCHOOL:

• Sit up front, close to the teacher.

• Take down all information the teacher puts on the screen or board.

• Ask Questions

• Copy down all homework assignments in a special place

• Start assigned projects immediately after first outlining what you need to do or find.

• Keep your socializing to between classes, before the class begins or after the class is over.

• When a test or graded work is returned to you, go over the work to see exactly what was missed and WHY.

Make it a great school year!